Part 54: Moving Between Locales

Chapter 7: Moving Between Locales


*You get up just in time for your meeting and quickly head to the Hall of Judgment.*

Two months ago, the Simbani requested that we aid them in their war against the Leopardmen. It was the decision of this Council to send emissaries to the Leopardmen to determine their grievances. The peace mission was ambushed at night by creatures or beings unknown.
Evidence and the account of the sole survivor of the ambush, Khatib Mukar’ram, indicate the Leopardmen. A warrior of Tarna, Reeshaka Dar Kreesha, was discovered missing from the bodies of the emissaries. Signs and scent indicate some sort of struggle, and then all trace of Reeshaka was lost. Reeshaka Dar Kreesha is presumed to be dead or else a prisoner of the Leopardmen. It is our duty to seek revenge upon the Leopardmen for those who are lost!
The liontaurs had no business involving themselves in the deeds of humans. The peace mission should never have occurred.
It is the duty of all those in Tarna to care for her people, and the humans are as much the people of Tarna as the liontaurs.
The warriors of Tarna desire revenge, and the right to gain honor through battle!
There is no honor in war, Warrior of Tarna. There is only death.
My magic indicates that there are signs of demonic activity. If demons are involved, it is they who are the enemy, not the Leopardmen.
Council of Judgment, I, Rakeesh Sah Tarna, stand before you. I swear by my honor to prevent the war, and to bring peace to all of Tarna.
Rakeesh Sah Tarna has sworn by his honor to bring peace to Tarna. If he fails, he shall be deemed honorless, and shall be banished from Tarna forever. Do you, Prince Nike von Slartibartfast of Shapeir, also swear by your honor to bring peace?
Eh. Might as well.
*Glare*
“I so swear.”
The Council will respect the honor of Rakeesh Sah Tarna, and allow him time to fulfill his oath. King Rajah orders Rakeesh and the prince to meet with him in his chambers immediately.


Rajah Sah Tarna, I stand before you.
Rakeesh Sah Tarna, you stand before me in honor.
Rajah Sah Tarna, I stand before you.
You stand before me in honor, human. Rakeesh, are you so besotted by humans that you pledge your honor for them? What in the name of Sekhmet do you think you are doing?
I have always pledged my honor to save lives, my Lord.
You, human, do you understand what it means to pledge honor?
I have only been a guest in your country for three days, my Lord, but I believe I understand the basic concept. According to Rakeesh’s description, “honor” means, to a liontaur, a certain level of pride in one’s actions and accountability. If one were to break such a code or fail a pledge made on the basis of such honor, one would no longer be considered a member of the community, and since the community encompasses the entire city of Tarna, one would suddenly become a “non-person,” such as the thief who was brought to the Council for such a reckoning only two days ago. As far as the nuances go—
When I want a lecture upon honor from you I will ask it, human.
You did ask him, Rajah, after all.
When I want your comments, Rakeesh, I shall ask for them. Rakeesh, you and I have disagreed on many things, but I have always cared for you as my brother.
I care greatly for you, Rajah, and respect you as well.
However, if I feel that Tarna must go to war, it shall go to war. Even if I must strip you of all honor, Rakeesh, Tarna will go to war.
I only request that you wait until my friend here and I have done all we can to prevent this war.
I will wait, but do not take too long. If the Simbani march against the Leopardmen, I intend that Tarna shall aid them. You, human, do you have anything further to say?
I must add my own humble request to Rakeesh’s, my Lord. As a fellow magician, I tend to prefer Kreesha’s argument that demons may, in fact, be involved in this conflict. You must have been alive and perhaps even engaging the demons personally when they came to your country over a decade ago, so you can understand the level of trouble that such a war would bring if it were to happen once again. If your respect for Rakeesh is not sufficient a deterrent for your actions, I must argue strenuously that your consideration for your fellow liontaurs’ lives should buffer your decision to assent to assistance.
Rakeesh, does this human fight your battles for you also?
He defeated the earth elemental in Shapeir, and I could not, my Lord.
You have indeed grown old, Rakeesh, that a human must fight for you. A liontaur lets the hyena pick his bones rather than ask help from a human.
I am a paladin first, and then a liontaur, Rajah.
Rakeesh, I cannot understand why you risk your honor and your life for humans. You could stay here in Tarna as my advisor, or lead my armies as a commander. To risk everything for peace is beyond my understanding!
This is an old argument between us, Rajah mother’s son. Must we fight in front of my friend?
Human, leave us now.
Fine then. Goodbye, both sons of Tarna.
I will meet you just outside the gates of Tarna. Then we will go to the Simbani village together.
See you there.

*You now leave to meet Rakeesh again outside the city gates.*


Journey to the Simbani Village

It feels very good to be back in my homeland, my friend. This is the savanna, the high grasslands that teem with animals.
Yes, I saw a few of them around a rocky alcove yesterday. Still, there don’t appear to be that many around overall.
They’re out here, but you might not be able to see them. There are few animals which will bother a traveler here. The zebras and other herd animals will avoid you; even the tigers will seek other prey.
Too many dangerous hunters around for them to feel safe around humans, I suppose?
Both of us might be considered the most dangerous animals of the savanna. However, there are things that are not quite animals. They have little fear of humans or liontaurs and may attack. The Field Guide to Eastern Fricana the sultan gave you will help, so study it well. I will be using my skills as a paladin to avoid danger.
Really? I believe everyone is familiar with the flaming sword, but what else can paladins do?
As a paladin becomes more in tune with the Essential Rightness of the Universe, he gains certain new abilities, such as healing. The more good one does, the more good things one can do.
Such as?
I have been a paladin for a long time now, ever since the demons last invaded the land, but even I don’t know the extent of my possible abilities. But you shouldn’t worry so much about my abilities; we must concentrate on preventing this war between people, and driving any demons back to the world from which they came.
Fair enough.



QfG3 is much more comprehensive about preventing sequence breaking than 2. Which is to say that it is impossible to see the second screen here until you travel to it with Rakeesh.

It is getting dark, and this looks like a good place to camp for the night. It is always best to have a campfire at night. It drives off many things. If you don’t yet own a tinderbox, I would advise you to purchase one when you return to Tarna.
Good thing I’ve already got one, then.



So here’s the thing: for the second half of the journey, Rakeesh gives the hero a different pep talk depending on his class. I rather like them all, and it’s one of the few places that distinguish between fighters and paladins, so I figured, “what the heck?”

I must warn you about the Simbani, my friend. They are very brave warriors and honorable friends, but they greatly dislike, even fear, the use of magic. It would be best if you don’t mention your skills at magic, nor cast any spells within the walls of the village.
Are they really so backwards as all that?
That’s not really a fair description, Nike. The Simbani never had a need for magic, so they didn’t develop any skills in that direction. Because of that, they really haven’t had any exposure to magic, except through the Leopardmen, whom they already dislike for other reasons.
Sounds like I could get along with them a lot better.
That’s true. The Leopardmen respect users of magic. Perhaps you could gain their trust with your skills, and help convince them of the serious consequences of this senseless war.
If that’s so, then why are we headed to the Simbani first?
You’d need to find the Leopardmen first, and even Kreesha is having trouble finding their magically hidden village. On the other hand, the Simbani have been friends and allies with my people for a long time, so as long as you mind your powers, you should be able to be their guest without any complication. And it looks like we’ve reached their village now.



It is good for you to get away from Tarna, my friend. Tarna is not a place for one of your skills.
Based on disuse, I’m sure. Are there really no doors in that entire city?
There are far too many temptations there for you, I’m afraid. Honestly, I’m still rather surprised that you came along at all.
I just had to get out of the palace, in the end. Believe it or not, I didn’t leave my hometown so I could get everything handed to me on a silver platter, you know? I figured that following you would be a good way to do some exploring, plus that you’d be doing all the heavy lifting with this war-stopping stuff.
Sorry, Nike, but it looks like I’ll be needed back in Tarna to keep my brother Rajah under control. I hadn’t realized just how dead set he is for war, and I think it will take all my convincing to give you enough time to act.
What? Really? Damn it, not again. And all the caravans are gone, too.
Come, now. You have shown yourself before to be a force for great good. I honor you for that and count you my friend. I don’t know how your skills will aid us in our mission of peace, but I trust you will think of something.
Oh, I’m thinking of a few things already…
I only ask that you please try not to dishonor us amongst friends. It would be difficult for me to justify your actions to the Simbani if you decided to “borrow” something from them. Particularly since we will be their guests.
Relax, I wasn’t thinking of that sort of thing.
Try not to only think of routes of escape, either.
Hmph.
Don’t worry so much. You told me that fighting the elementals was easier than you had expected, right? Perhaps stopping this war will prove similar.



I am honored that you have become a paladin, Nike. You will be gaining several new abilities as you do more good.
Sweet, sweet.
The first thing a paladin learns is how to make his sword glow with the blue fire of honor. This adds to your weapon’s damage and allows it to harm things that cannot be harmed with normal weapons.
Wait, so you mean I could kill a demon with this thing? Hell yeah!
As you have gained in experience and spread goodness, the next skill you will gain is the power to heal. This gift of healing can be used upon yourself or others. However, it pulls upon your inner strength, and cannot be used if you allow yourself to be weakened.
But I don’t have any of that “inner strength” stuff, do I? I mean, I’m not a mage or anything.
The other kind of inner strength.
How many kinds are there?
There—you’ll see. As you grow more in tune with the Essential Rightness of the Universe, you will be able to feel the rightness of all things. You will be able to sense when danger is near.
You said you’re using it to avoid monsters, right? Well, what if I wanted to smash monster faces in?
If that’s the case, then all the danger sense will do is provide an annoying warning that honestly the battle music could have told you anyway.
What?
Never mind. When you have done much good, you will be able to protect yourself more fully. Whenever your sword is filled with blue fire, you shall be surrounded by an Honor Shield. This helps protect you from physical and magical harm. In general, the more honorable acts you do, the greater your abilities. We are nearing the Simbani village, so I will speak more about being a paladin later, if you are interested.



You should do well in the Simbani village. The Simbani will respect a brave warrior like yourself.
Your MOM’s a brave warrior.
Yes, yes she was. Why do you bring it up?
…
Right. Anyway, the Simbani have always respected warriors. It will be difficult to convince the Simbani to resolve their differences with the Leopardmen peacefully. The young warriors will be eager to prove themselves in battle.
Fuck peace. Bring it on, I say.
Look, I just finished explaining to the Warrior and Rajah why war is a bad time to get glory. Do I have to go over it again with you?
Whatever.
War with the Leopardmen, even if demons aren’t involved, will be a very deadly thing. The Simbani practice fighting in the savanna where it is easy to see the enemy. They use spears as weapons for throwing and close combat. The Leopardmen hide in the jungle, and cast spells from a distance. Spears can’t be thrown far in the dense growth of the jungle.
That’s ‘cause they’re doing it wrong. Everyone knows that swords are better.
They don’t have enough—forget it. _{Of all the heroes in the world, I had to get stuck with this one.}





Simbani Village

Habari, Mzee Mngoje.
Mzuri, Lionman Rakeesh. It is good to see you.
It is good to see you, Mngoje. I have here a friend and brave warrior from afar to see the wonders of your village.
Habari, bwana.
Mzuri, Mr. Mngoje.
“Mister?” Heh, that be a funny word. Behold the village of the Simbani. From the pen where the injured cattle stay, the huts where we sleep, and the places where we work and play, enter and be welcome.
We are most honored, Mzee Mngoje, to enter your village. Kwa heri.
Kwa heri, Simba Rakeesh. Kwa heri, bwana.



Ah, Uhura, I was wondering where you had wandered off to.
Only to my home village, Nike. Hujambo, mabwana.
Hatujambo, Uhura. Hujambo, Simba. You both look healthy and happy to be home again.
It very good to be home. I be happy to show you both the way of the Simbani.
We are honored.
Yes, I suppose we are.
Come then, we will meet with the leader of the Simbani, the Laibon.



Laibon

Habari, Laibon Mkubwa.
Mzuri, Warrior Uhura.
Laibon, I, Uhura, Warrior of the Simbani, be standing before you with two warriors from far lands.
Habari, warriors.


Mzuri sana, Laibon Mkubwa. It is good to see you again, great leader of the Simbani people.
It is good to see you, Warrior Rakeesh.


Greetings, oh Laibon of the Simbani people. I am Prince Nike von Slartibartfast, a…er…“warrior” of the distant land of Shapeir.
Mzuri. You are welcome here.


Laibon, I have come here to bring peace to your people and the Leopardmen. I have sworn this by my honor.
Mzuri, Warrior Rakeesh. Bring the Leopardman chief to his knees before me and you shall have this peace you pledge.
That’s not exactly…what has caused this great anger for the Leopardmen, Laibon Mkubwa?
The Leopardmen have always been our enemies. They be sneaky and not to be trusted, for they only travel at night. The worst of all be that they use magic. The Leopardman is the enemy. If the Simbani be seeking a lost calf in the jungle at night, then the Leopardman uses magic against him. A Simbani cannot fight magic, so he must retreat. The Leopardman will not meet the Simbani in a fair fight. The Leopardmen will always be our enemies, and now they have made us call for war. They stole from us the Spear of Death and for that, they shall die! Then they will no longer be our enemy. Then you will fight at our side and the Leopardmen will fall before us. Then there will be peace again.
If you don’t mind my asking, Laibon, how do you expect to win a pitched battle against the Leopardmen when, as you just stated, the Simbani have no defense against magic?
We even the fight by fighting in the day like warriors, and maybe burn down the jungle so the Leopardman have nowhere to hide. Then we can fight, and after the fight there will be peace.
There are ways to resolve the conflicts between the Simbani and the Leopardmen other than through waging war. I would like to see you, Laibon of the Simbani and the chief of the Leopardmen, speak your grievances before the Hall of Judgment in Tarna. Perhaps there can yet be a peaceful resolution of conflict.
No, Rakeesh! The Spear of Death is stolen and we will fight to regain our pride. The worth of the spear will be paid in blood, not words. I have spoken. Kwa herini.
Kwa heri, Laibon.
Goodbye, Laibon.
Farewell, Laibon of the Simbani. May we yet meet again in peace.

*You all walk back to Uhura’s hut to rest and discuss things before evening.*


It is good to be back in your own hut again, isn’t it, Uhura?
Good. Very good. But Simba well worth leaving my home for.
The Laibon was most gracious to see us, yet I felt as though we weren’t welcome. I don’t understand, for I have always respected him. How did we offend him, Uhura?
I be not knowing, Rakeesh. The Simbani have lost much honor with the stealing of the Spear of Death. Still, for the Laibon not to listen to your words of peace be not right.
Perhaps he will listen another time.
What in the world is a Spear of Death, anyways?
The Spear of Death be a powerful weapon for the Simbani. Only the best of Laibons may have the spear. Our Laibon is the best of Laibons.
“Laibons?”
There be many tribes of Simbani, Nike.
Alright, but what makes him the best of the best?
He really is a good Laibon. As a youth, he be called Anahasema, “He does not speak,” because he be listening always.
Ah yes, an excellent sign of character.
As long as the Spear of Death is missing, I don’t think the Laibon will listen to words of peace. If we could get the Leopardmen to return the spear, the war might end without bloodshed.
So now that we’ve hit a wall here, what will you be doing, Rakeesh?
I am returning to Tarna in the morning. My hind leg is bothering me again, so you will have to do the exploring without me. I am sorry to have to leave you.
I should be fine with the Field Guide to assist me, but thanks for your concern. You know, it hasn’t been just us three together since back during the elemental siege. I never did hear much from you about how you became a paladin, Rakeesh. Your story was more about the “why.”
Didn’t I? Well, after the demons left Tarna when we stopped them the first time, I followed them. They traveled north to the land of the Pharaoh. In the bazaar at Gaza, I met a paladin. She came to my defense, for the people of the bazaar assumed I was a monster. I told her of my mission, and she taught me the way of the paladin.
You were in Gaza? Had you already abdicated by then?
Rajah sat on the throne in my absence, but I didn’t formally give it up until I returned with Soulforge, just before the demons’ second charge.
I see. I believe we have sat in this hut for long enough, though, don’t you?
Yes, I think the preparations are complete now. By the way, when we see the villagers, look at their faces. If there is war with the Leopardmen, many of the young warriors will be dead a year from now. If there is a war with demons, they will all be dead.
If the Simbani be at war, Rakeesh, so too be I. I be a Simbani warrior.
I have pledged my honor to bring peace to your people. You did not return to your village to die in a meaningless war. I swear it.
We be sitting in this hut too long now, Rakeesh. The villagers be waiting to see you again. They bee killing a young bullock in your honor and the blood be very fresh.
Oh. How…delightful.

*The Simbani celebrate your arrival with meat, milk, and dancing. It is late when you finally make it back to your hut.*


We were treated royally by the Simbani. That was meat from the Laibon’s own herd.
I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Simbani know how to properly slow roast a cow. So what happens now?
I will head back to Tarna at first light. Rajah still believes that war is honorable. He will be trying to convince the council to declare war upon the Leopardmen. Unless I am in Tarna, Rajah may succeed in starting this war. You should find out what you can about what is going on. I don’t think the Laibon told us everything he knows. If you can find the Spear of Death, we may be able to convince the Laibon that war is unnecessary. Good luck.
Oh yes, thank you, luck was the only thing I was missing to properly stop a war from occurring.
There’s no need for sarcasm, Nike. Anyway, if you don’t find anything here, I suggest that you seek some magic wood. Kreesha wishes to teach you the Magic Staff spell, but you must have the wood to do so. I think you will need all the magic you can get in order to restore the peace in this land.
I suppose. You know, if the Leopardmen stalk the jungle by night and the Simbani keep to the savanna during the day, then how do they even interact to reach this degree of hostility?
I wish I knew. The idea that the Leopardmen would suddenly start a war not only with the Simbani, but with my people as well, is something beyond my belief.
Oh right, the peace mission. Didn’t Rajah say something about losing honor from that?
Honor has different meanings to different people. To the Simbani, the essence of honor is trust. They are a very open people and share evenly with all members of the tribe. To the liontaurs, honor is a matter of pride and obeying the laws of Tarna. To the paladin, honor is doing whatever it takes to bring about the greatest good for all.
I can imagine it’s difficult when everyone’s honor is on the line like this.
And triply hard to the one who has to respect all three definitions.
Indeed. I’ll try to avoid letting you down, Rakeesh. Goodnight.
Goodnight, Nike.



And once again I am left to my own devices in a foreign land. I wonder how many other heroes have to deal with this sort of thing?